220 in the garage?

[ACRucrazy]

So I have a seperate panel and meter on my garage.
Its a decent size panel and i believe its rated 200 amps and has only two 30 amp and three 20 amp breakers in it currently.

Im wanting to get a two stage compressor. Whats all involved in getting that wired properly? Home electrical is where my knowledge is lacking.

The amp/voltage sticker on the door is not filled in, but the meter on the outside says 240v? It has the 3 wire service head.

Whats the proper wire gauge (10+?), how hard of a job is it to wire from the service panel to an outlet and anyone wanna side job?

I dunno, who knows what
Thanks

[pubestripe]

it is fairly easy to do. i just got a 50 amp breaker, and wired it in... i am running a 2 stage compressor, an old Quincy, and it runs just fine. where in relation to your fuse panel did you want the compressor to stand? that in itself is the hardest part, finding where you want to stand it, because then you have to find out how you want to wire it in... through conduit or the wall...

[ACRucrazy]

yea, right now im in the process of gutting the garage to do it "my way"

Im thinking temporary I could place the compressor 5 feet or so from the service panel, but eventually, it may end up being about a 60 ft run to the other corner under the heater.

Two 50 amp circuits could never hurt

[pubestripe]

very true...lol they couldnt hurt. i ran my compressor 6 feet from my panel because i was lazy and didnt feel like wiring it to the other side which is 25 feet or so away, and i already have a finished garage. i think i have 12 gauge in there too, i have to go look because i had to ask my buddy what size to get seeing as how he is an electrical engineer!

[Gipper]

i think i have 12 gauge in there too, i have to go look because i had to ask my buddy what size to get seeing as how he is an electrical engineer!

If I'm reading this right, you're feeding your compressor with 12 gauge wire on a 50 amp breaker? 12 gauge wire is only good for 20 amps which means you will cook your wire and possible start a fire long before the breaker will pop if something happens. During normal operation it should be fine but if for some reason the motor starts to draw more amperage or if there is a short the wire will over heat before the breaker will trip.

Amp ratings for copper wire

14g = 15amps
12g = 20 amps
10g = 30 amps
8g = 40 amps
6g = 65 amps

[Gipper]

So I have a seperate panel and meter on my garage.
Its a decent size panel and i believe its rated 200 amps and has only two 30 amp and three 20 amp breakers in it currently.

Im wanting to get a two stage compressor. Whats all involved in getting that wired properly? Home electrical is where my knowledge is lacking.

The amp/voltage sticker on the door is not filled in, but the meter on the outside says 240v? It has the 3 wire service head.

Whats the proper wire gauge (10+?), how hard of a job is it to wire from the service panel to an outlet and anyone wanna side job?

I dunno, who knows what
Thanks

Look at the amp/volt spec on the electric motor on the compressor. If it’s 240 volts then you will need a “2 pole” breaker. Then look at the amps on the motor…. It will probably be between 20 to 30 amps. Whatever it says, that is the size breaker you need. Example: If it says 240 volts and 30 amps…. You’ll need a 240 volt, 2 pole, 30 amp breaker fed with 10 gauge wire. Now, here is the part where you’ll need to know the brand a model of the panel that is currently in your garage so you can get the correct breaker. Examples: “Square D QO”, Square D Home Line”, “Cutler Hammer”, “Siemens” ect….

Wiring…. There is no neutral (in most cases) when wiring 240 volts (neutral is usually the white wire) but you will need a ground. If you are using EMT conduit then the EMT acts as the ground itself…. If you are using romex then you will need to attach the ground conductor to the ground buss in the panel and to the compressor pressure switch.

If you want to “Hard Wire” the compressor you should have a disconnect (a double pole switch) within reach if its not near the panel. Or you could wire an outlet and put a cord with a plug on the end to plug in the compressor.

Don’t worry… you’ll be able to tackle this yourself. It sounds intimidating but it isn’t to bad.

Hope this helps

[Akromix]

yea, right now im in the process of gutting the garage to do it "my way"

Im thinking temporary I could place the compressor 5 feet or so from the service panel, but eventually, it may end up being about a 60 ft run to the other corner under the heater.

Two 50 amp circuits could never hurt

Wait...I thought the previous owner was welding in the garage. What happened to the 220 runs? Or was he using 110v welders?

[NAZISALEEN]

I can help you do it. I have gained alot of home wiring expeirence in the last year.

Now how soon do you need it done

Shouldn't be a big deal, sounds like there is 220 there now.

[Video_Master]

TRDon is an electrician.

[Akromix]

TRDon is an electrician.

No he isn't, you lie.

[Fernanernie]

PM TRDon. Two things a person shouldn't do themselves unless they're trained. Electrical and gas plumbing. You fuck shit up that way.

[10k lakes]

if you are looking temporary, use range or dryer cable and 3 or 4-wire receptacle and plug. by far the cheapest way if you are only looking temp for now. Aluminum wireis the way to go if you are looking for a short term.

you'll need
-a breaker (see name plate on the compressor motor) [$10-20]
-the wire just get Type SER Aluminum cable (dryer cable is for 30A and range is 50A) [15ft #6SER AL (50A) $22.50 15ft #8SER AL (30A) $14.40]
-one or two romex connectors should be a 3/4" or 1" depending on which size wire you need [$1.00 EA]
-an angle plug (30A or 50A P&S #3867 or equal) [$16.80 EA.]
- surface receptacle (P&S #3854 (30A) or #3884 (50A)) [$9.00(30A) $9.25(50A)


Like said above you might not need the 4-wire and might only need 3 wire but I guess I always go on the 'just in case' side of things, its easier to have an extra wire to start that you might not use than to need one later after you have a wall covered or a conduit full. Plus at the last garage I wired he liked the 50-60A wire everywhere in case he needed a welder outlet etc etc. that way he could.

[Nifty]

Shit. I may have to do a little upgrading too. How hard would it be to just add a couple 4 plex outlets to my garage?

[MisterCMK]

Piece of cake. Is your breaker box in the garage?

[TRDon]

I havent gotten a PM

PM me your phone number and I will give you information that is true and legitamate and to code and if you feel comfortable doing it, feel free, if not, we can figure something out.